Introduction to Islam

Podcast-style audio & video course - 12 Topics
Length: 4 hrs and 55 mins
Tisch Family Associate Professor of Islamic Studies and Theology
(8 customer reviews)
Audio Download + Subscription
$0.00
Audio Download + Subscription
$0.00
Includes Free Study Guide
Audio Download + Subscription
$0.00

Audio Sample:

If you’ve ever had questions about Islam, this course is for you.

It is impossible to overestimate the influence of Islam, which brings inspiration and meaning to the lives of many millions of people worldwide. At the same time, misunderstandings about Islam abound.

Now, in Introduction to Islam, you will explore the full sweep of the religion of Islam. Your guide, Prof. Gabriel S. Reynolds, a Catholic and a scholar of Islamic studies and a Notre Dame professor, will answer your most important questions about the second largest, and fastest-growing, religion in the world.

You will begin with the sources of Islam, the life of Muhammad, and the importance of the Qurʾān. Next, you will analyze the historical development of Islam, coming to un

Audio Sample:

If you’ve ever had questions about Islam, this course is for you.

It is impossible to overestimate the influence of Islam, which brings inspiration and meaning to the lives of many millions of people worldwide. At the same time, misunderstandings about Islam abound.

Now, in Introduction to Islam, you will explore the full sweep of the religion of Islam. Your guide, Prof. Gabriel S. Reynolds, a Catholic and a scholar of Islamic studies and a Notre Dame professor, will answer your most important questions about the second largest, and fastest-growing, religion in the world.

You will begin with the sources of Islam, the life of Muhammad, and the importance of the Qurʾān. Next, you will analyze the historical development of Islam, coming to understand the rise of Islam and its Sunni and Shiʿite traditions. You will also discuss the central place of shariʿa, or the divine law, to Islam. Finally, you will consider the mystical tradition of Islam, the role of Jesus in Islam, and the origins and meaning of jihad.

Ideal for beginners, this course answers questions of particular concern to Christians who care about the Church’s relation with Islam. As you listen to these fascinating lectures, you will broaden your own capacity for interreligious dialogue and understanding of Abrahamic religions.

At the end, you will emerge with a deeper understanding of the history, teachings, and practice of Islam. This is an essential course for thoughtful Christians.

Learn about downloadable programs.

Your Free Electronic Study Guide! When you order this course, we will send you a free electronic study guide that you can access in 3 convenient ways:

1) You can check your order confirmation email. It will include a link that enables you to download your guide.
2) The back of your program package also contains a copy of this link. You can access your guide by simply entering this URL into your browser.
3) Your case of CDs or DVDs will contain a copy of your electronic guide on CD. Simply insert this disc into your computer’s CD/DVD drive to access your guide.

$17.99

Frequently Bought Together

  • Wisdom from the World’s Religions

    $24.99
    Select options
  • Sale! 3,000 Years of Judaism in 30 Days: Understanding Jewish History, Beliefs, and Practices

    3,000 Years of Judaism in 30 Days: Understanding Jewish History, Beliefs, and Practices

    $29.99
    Select options
  • Abraham’s Children: Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue Between Christians, Jews, and Muslims

    $24.99
    Select options
  • World Religion 101: From Buddhism to Judaism, History, Beliefs, & Practices of the Great Religions

    World Religion 101: From Buddhism to Judaism, History, Beliefs, & Practices of the Great Religions

    $24.99
    Select options

Gabriel S. Reynolds is Professor of Islamic Studies and Theology in the Department of Theology at Notre Dame, where he researches the Qur’an and Muslim-Christian relations. He received his Ph.D. in Islamic Studies from Yale University, where his dissertation, A Muslim Theologian in the Sectarian Milieu (published by Brill in 2004), won the Field Prize. He is the author of The Qur’an and Its Biblical Subtext (Routledge, 2010) and of The Emergence of Islam (Fortress, 2012), the translator of ‘Abd al-Jabbar’s Critique of Christian Origins (BYU, 2008), and the editor of The Qur’an in Its Historical Context (Routledge, 2008) and New Perspectives on the Qur’an: The Qur’an in Its Historical Context 2 (Routledge, 2011).
Prof. Reynolds is currently Chair of the Executive Board of the International Qur’anic Studies Association. At Notre Dame, he teaches courses on theology, Muslim/Christian Relations, and Islamic Origins. Prof. Reynolds has been a visiting professor at the Université de Saint Joseph in Lebanon and at the Université Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium, and he has lectured on the Church and Islam throughout the world, including Oxford, Cairo, Rome, Jerusalem, and Iran.

Praise for Gabriel Reynolds
“Gabriel Reynolds combines deep learning and a gift for teaching. His sympathetic but learned approach to Islam is a real grace in these times.”
– Lawrence S. Cunningham, O’Brien Professor of Theology Emeritus, University of Notre Dame

“Gabriel Reynolds is an internationally renowned scholar of the Quran. His work on the relationship of early Quranic traditions to the Bible is groundbreaking and will forever alter the way in which scholars see the origins of the Islamic faith.” – Gary A. Anderson, Hesburgh Professor of Catholic Theology, University of Notre Dame

“Engaging and lucid in explaining the often dauntingly complex and conflicting claims to legitimacy by Islam and Christianity, Gabriel Said Reynolds enlightens his listeners and illuminates religions’ problems and promise in our increasingly dangerous and divided world.”
– Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., president of the University of Notre Dame

  • Muhammad
  • The Qurʾan: Revelation, Structure, and Message
  • A Closer Look: Qurʾan 37
  • Rise of an Empire
  • The Development of Sunni Islam
  • The Development of Shiʿite Islam
  • Islamic Law
  • Islamic Views of Non-Muslims
  • Ritual
  • The Mystical Tradition of Islam
  • Jihad
  • Christ in Islam

8 reviews for Introduction to Islam

  1. Carla Mae S., MO

    Winter Survey: January 2017

    Reynolds’ approach is clear, unbiased, and solid.

  2. Kevin P., PA

    Spring Survey: April 2017

    A group of friends and I are watching this course on Islam to increase our knowledge on this world wide religion. All of us a very pleased with the content and quality of this course.

  3. Felipe S., TX

    Spring Survey: April 2017

    My daughter converted to Islam a few years ago and Dr. Reynold’s courses have greatly helped me understand the religion and its relationship to Christianity.

  4. Carla Mae S., MO

    Spring Survey: April 2017

    The Reynolds programs are most helpful for folks wanting to know more about Islam. The information is clear and the study guide very helpful.

  5. Carla Mae S., MO

    Summer Survey: July 2017

    Professor Reynolds is a fine presenter, balancing a factual presentation with clear contrast to Catholic positions.

  6. Fr. John M., OH

    2018 Spring Survey

    I found Mr. Reynolds a great teacher and very balance on what is not an easy topic.

  7. A. M. A., LA

    Summer 2018 Survey

    I thought it was easy to follow and very informative. The presentation was respectful of the gifts of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

  8. David W., MO

    Summer 2018 Survey

    I found it difficult to navigate within the program; being in my 80s probably had something to do with it.

Add a review

Stay in the know.

Enter your email address for a free coupon, and to find out about future specials and promotions. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Now You Know Media is now Learn25

In an effort to provide our customers the best possible experience, we have created a new website for you at Learn25.com to browse our selection of over 400 audio and video courses by top professors.